Patterson talks about appointment to SBC name change task force

FORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS) – Southern Baptist Convention President Bryant Wright appointed a task force to study the possibility of changing the name of the convention during the fall SBC Executive Committee meeting, Sept. 19. Those named to the committee include Southwestern Seminary president Paige Patterson and five alumni.

Southwestern alumni appointed to the task force include Jimmy Draper, president emeritus of LifeWay Christian Resources and former SBC president, who will serve as the task force chairman.

“The Southern Baptist Convention is no longer a regional convention, and every Southern Baptist concerned for the lost will be interested in removing all self-imposed barriers to the evangelization of all men,” Patterson said in an interview.

“By the same token, Southern Baptist stands for something very significant in a number of ways and should not be abandoned without careful thought and consideration of many attending circumstances. “

Patterson spoke of his and his fellow task force members’ love for Southern Baptists.

“I have given my life to this convention,” Patterson said. I am not sure how qualified I am to be on the committee, but I am sure that I love the churches of the SBC and wish to do nothing to harm them in any way. All Southern Baptists should feel free to state their opinions and convictions publicly or to Dr. Draper or to any member of the committee. We expect that, and we want that.

“I also appeal to our people to keep this discussion on the highest conceivable level, leaning over backwards to avoid judgments of anyone’s motives, which only God can know. I also appeal for the ardent prayers of all our people for our gracious Lord to grant this committee wisdom beyond anything that we could ever have on our own.”

Other Southwestern alumni include:

David Dockery, president of Union University in Jackson, Tenn.

Tom Elliff, president of the International Mission Board

Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board

Bob Sena, retired director of Hispanic resource development and equipping in the North American Mission Board's church planting group